Small Animal Services

Our goal is to help you minimize the need to treat and cure preventable diseases. Preventative medicine increases your pet's chances of having a long and healthy life. We accomplish this through routine annual physical examinations of your pet, proper nutrition, parasite control and through the use of a vaccination program based on an individualized risk assessment for your pet.

Our exams include a full review of your dogs history, including vaccines and behavioural concerns. We will assess your dog's annual health condition, check vitals, and do a thorough dental evaluation. We will discuss preventative care such as blood work which can detect any problems before they arise. Early preventative care can give our veterinarians a baseline to tell us what is normal for your pet. It can also give us the chance to treat disease early and help us detect any unforeseen issues that can occur.

Vaccinations are given to protect your pet from a variety of diseases. Some of these vaccinations are given annually while others are given every three years.

"Core" vaccinations are given regularly to all pets. For dogs, these include: Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvovirus, Parainfluenza, Leptospirosis and Rabies. For cats, core vaccines include: Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, Panleukopenia and Rabies.

"Non-core" or optional vaccines are offered to pets that are considered at a higher risk of developing these diseases. Your pet may be deemed higher risk based on their interaction with other pets, travel to other areas of the country or other countries, outdoor activity or if they are boarded in kennels. For dogs, non-core vaccinations that are offered include: Kennel cough (also known as Bordetella), Giardia and Lyme Disease. Non-core vaccines offered for cats include vaccines against: Feline Leukemia, Chlamydia and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus. Vaccine titres can also be performed. If you are not sure if your pet should receive any non-core vaccinations, please discuss it with your veterinarian.

NOTE: Rabies vaccinations are required by law for all pets (including indoor cats) as it poses a human health risk.

Although most people only think of running lab tests when the patient is ill, we recommend routine screenings based upon age, health status and other factors.

Our veterinarians may recommend x-rays as a part of a diagnostic procedure if your pet is experiencing any health conditions. X-rays may also be suggested as preventive measure in a routine senior wellness examination. Algoma Veterinary Clinic is equipped to perform routine radiology services to identify many types of illness or injury when pets are sick or suffer a trauma. X-rays can also be used to detect a variety of ailments including arthritis, tumors and lung abnormalities including pneumonia, bladder and kidney stones as well as to evaluate bone damage and organ size/shape and to identify foreign objects that may have been ingested. Dental radiographs will help to distinguish between healthy teeth and those that may need to be extracted. They can also be used to identify any abnormalities beneath the gums including root damage, tumors and abscesses.

Radiography is painless, safe, and completely non-invasive. Our equipment uses only very low doses of radiation. Because the level of radiation exposure needed to perform radiography is very low, even pregnant females and very young pets can undergo radiography. Radiographs are an important tool that can help us make a correct diagnosis for your pet. Our radiology service is staffed by caring, skilled professionals who will provide state-of-the-art care with compassion and expertise.

Additional tests include biopsy, fecal exams, cytology and urinalysis. Some results can be obtained while you wait, while others may take a few days.

Because of the importance of oral and dental hygiene, your dog or cat is thoroughly checked for proper bite, signs of jaw injury, abscesses, fractured teeth, enamel damage, tartar and calculus buildup during each regular wellness exam.

When dental treatments are required, your pet is placed under general anesthesia and given intravenous fluids. Before undergoing these procedures, we take necessary precautions for the safety of your pet. This includes performing a complete physical exam as well as analyzing blood samples to determine if your pet is well enough to undergo the general anesthesia.

During any dental procedure, a veterinarian and veterinary technician attend to your pet to provide the highest standard of care. Your pet’s blood pressure, oxygen, CO2 levels, temperature and heart rate are continuously monitored. Additionally, we keep your pet warm throughout the procedure and administer analgesic and nerve block medications to ensure your pet’s comfort.

Regular pet dental care can help you and your pet avoid unnecessary pain and discomfort from unhealthy dental conditions.

From routine surgical procedures, such as spaying and neutering, to more complex surgeries, we look forward to the opportunity to care for your pet’s surgical needs.

We understand that surgery can be a source of anxiety and stress for many pet owners. Maybe you worry about whether your pet will be well cared for, or perhaps you have concerns about adequate precautions and monitoring. Whether your pet needs minor surgery or a complex procedure, call us. We welcome your questions and are happy to take the time to address your concerns about the surgery, anesthesia, pain management and post-operative care before scheduling a recommended procedure.

We provide end-of-care with the utmost compassion and respect for both pets and their families. Our priority is to provide the best quality of life possible for a pet with a terminal disease or condition until the pet passes away or is euthanized.

We offer personalized care plans that prioritize comfort, dignity, and pain management during your pet's final days. Our team supports you through every step of the process, ensuring your beloved companion's needs are met and helping you make informed decisions during such difficult times.